Pernille Harder bagged a brace as Chelsea moved a point behind Women’s Super League leaders Manchester United with a 6-0 thrashing of Leicester.
Emma Hayes’ reigning WSL champions, who face United at Wembley on Sunday, took control of the contest courtesy of Guro Reiten’s eighth-minute finish and Erin Cuthbert’s 50th goal for the club.
Harder’s second double in as many games - following a brace in Sunday’s 7-0 thrashing over Everton - put the result doubt before the break.
Lauren James stretched the Blues’ advantage with a stunning solo goal in the 56th minute before Jelena Cankovic completed the scoring in added time with another spectacular strike.
Second-placed Chelsea, who have won four league matches in a row, have a game in hand on title rivals United and an identical goal difference.
Relegation-threatened Leicester - thumped 8-0 at home by the Blues in December - remain two points above bottom club Reading with two games to go following their 15th defeat of a difficult campaign.
Arsenal boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification by climbing to third after Stina Blackstenius’ early brace helped them record a 4-0 success over Brighton.
Sweden forward Blackstenius struck in the sixth and eighth minutes to set the visitors on course for a comfortable victory.
Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova also claimed first-half goals for the Gunners, who climbed above Manchester City on goal difference with a game in hand
